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He has scored centuries against all Test-playing nations

The right handed batsman made his debut against India at Chandigarh in 1990.

A stylish opening batsman, Atapattu enjoyed personal success at Lord's during a career that spanned 90 Tests. In 2002, Atapattu struck 185 to put his name on the Lord's Honours Board, as Sri Lanka drew the opening Test of a three match series with England .

He also hit an unbeaten 132 in a ODI in 1998, as Sri Lanka secured a five-wicket victory at the Home of Cricket.

The 43 year-old scored centuries against all Test-playing nations, including a high score of 249 against Zimbabwe, in which he shared a 438-run partnership with Kumar Sangakkara for the second wicket.

Atapattu scored six double-hundreds in his career, a feat bettered only by Don Bradman, Wally Hammond and Brian Lara.

After retirement Atapattu has turned his attention to coaching, having stints as batting coaches of Canada, Singapore and Sri Lanka, before being appointed as interim head coach of the Sri Lankan team.